Proud Wife....Again

Last Sunday St. Louis County had an award ceremony to recognize fire and EMS personell who went above and beyond the call of duty. As most of you know last May Dan and his crew had that horrific call where the Aunt was driving the car and got sidetracked and hit the pole, causing the car to burst into flames. The aunt was able to get herself and her daughter out, but the neice was trapped. Dan and Travis responded, Travis breaking the window and Dan pulling the burning child from the car, trying to administer CPR, resulting in her death.
Dan says every now and again that he never forgets her face, or certain moments of that call. On SUnday Dan and Travis were recognized and given an award for the job they did on that call. Dan was very negative about the whole ceremony for the weeks prior to the ceremony often saying, "Why would I get an award when the child died." I have explained that it was the effort and act of heroism that is being awarded. On Sunday when he, and Travis and chief Emmert, were called to the front, I watched and listened with tears in my eyes as the announcer reread the dispatch of that call and the play by play of Travis and Dan. Cole stood next to me waving and smiling at Dan, as his face changed solemnly the more the announcer spoke. When he came back to his seat he said, "That just brought back some really tough memories."
I will always be proud of Dan, and I am so glad Cole has a role model like him!